(39) ANALYSIS OF INJURY INCIDENCE, PLAYER LOAD, AND TIME PLAYED FOR DIVISION II WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OVER ONE SEASON

Purpose: This study investigated relationships between injury rates, locations, and severities with measures of training volume in women’s soccer athletes during a single season.

Methods: 29 female athletes (20.6 ± 1.7 y, 68.9 ± 5.3 in, 162.9 ± 30.1 lbs) from a collegiate NCAA Division II soccer team volunteered. Injury history was collected in collaboration with the sports medicine staff for the 2023 season. Training load data was collected using GPS tracking devices for each athlete’s game and practice time. Injury location, type, and severity were plotted as a time-series analysis and in relation to both minutes played and Player Load to identify injury patterns.

Results: Ankle injuries were the most prevalent injury location (21.8%), and sprain/ligament injuries were the most common type (23.6%). Minor injuries classified as ranging from 1-7 days were the most common time lost (65.5%), with most of those injuries happening during season (56.4%). An average of 28.7 days were missed per injured athlete throughout the season. There were 17.9 injuries per 1000 hours of on-field training. A moderate negative correlation was found between total time played or practiced and total days missed (r = -0.697, p < 0.05).

Conclusions: This study elucidates the patterns and prevalence of injuries among collegiate NCAA Division II women's soccer athletes. Ankle injuries were the most common, with a notable prevalence of sprain/ligament injuries. Minor injuries were the most frequent, predominantly occurring during the season. The significant correlation between total time played or practiced and total days missed underscores the need for strategic load management. The study also emphasizes the critical role of comprehensive injury tracking and the collaborative efforts between sports medicine, strength and conditioning, and sport science professionals. Practical Implications: The high incidence of ankle injuries and sprain/ligament injuries indicates the need for targeted prehabilitation and rehabilitation protocols focusing on these areas. Implementing injury prevention programs that address these specific injury types can potentially reduce the overall injury rate and severity. Moreover, the data-sharing framework and collaborative approach demonstrated in this study can serve as a model for other collegiate athletic teams. By fostering a culture of collaboration and systematic data collection, teams can enhance their injury prevention strategies and optimize athlete performance and availability.